The Cross-Border
Playbook.
Everything the Indian investor needs to know about capital controls, taxation, and asset protection.
- LRS & Funds
- Golden Visa
- Taxation
- Crypto
LRS & Funds
How do you send money from India to buy in Dubai?
The most common question we get: “How do I legally send money from India to buy in Dubai?”
Through the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Every resident Indian, minors included, can send up to USD 250,000 abroad each financial year and buying property overseas is a permitted purpose. The money goes by bank transfer straight to the developer’s escrow account in Dubai.
Annual Individual Cap
$250,000
Per Financial Year
Family Buying Power (Family of 4)
$1,000,000
Combined Annual Power
What are the steps?
- Your Bank: Remit from your own resident account at an authorised dealer bank, under your own PAN.
- Form A2 Compliance: The bank files Form A2 and your LRS declaration.
- Direct Remittance: Funds move directly from your Indian bank to the developer’s escrow account in Dubai, with no intermediary.
Tax Collected at Source (TCS)
As of April 1, 2025, a 20% TCS applies only on amounts exceeding ₹10 Lakhs per financial year for investment purposes.
TCS is not an extra tax. It is credited against your annual income tax in India, although the cash is tied up until you file.
Golden Visa
How do you get a Dubai visa through property?
Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for a renewable ten year Golden Visa, off plan included. Smaller purchases can still earn a two year property visa. Both let you sponsor your family and neither requires a UAE employer.
2-Year Property Visa
Standard Residency
Investment Required
No minimum for a sole owner (AED 400,000 per owner if held jointly)
Condition
Completed property with at least 50% paid. The AED 750,000 floor was dropped for sole owners in April 2026 without a formal announcement, so confirm at application.
- Renewable every 2 years
- Family sponsorship allowed
- Bank account & Emirates ID
Taxation
How is Dubai property taxed for Indian investors?
The UAE charges no tax on rent or on the gain when you sell. A resident Indian is still taxed in India on both, so the advantage is yield and currency. NRIs and UAE residents keep the full return.
| TAX TYPE | INDIA (FOR A RESIDENT INDIAN) | UAE (FOR EVERY OWNER) |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Income | Your slab rate (up to 39%*) | 0% (Tax-Free) |
| Capital Gains | 12.5% if held over 24 months, slab rate if sooner | 0% (Tax-Free) |
| Moving money | Outward remittance within LRS limits | No capital controls |
Key Takeaways
Where the edge comes from: Dubai gross yields averaged 6.6% in H1 2026, well above major Indian cities. For an NRI or a UAE resident that rent arrives untaxed; a resident Indian pays Indian tax on it.
No UAE exit tax: Dubai charges nothing on the gain when you sell. A resident Indian reports it in India, at 12.5% after 24 months of ownership.
*Disclaimer: Tax laws are subject to change. Analysis is based on FY 2025-26 regulations. We recommend consulting with a chartered accountant for your specific cross-border tax liabilities.
Crypto
Can you buy Dubai property with crypto?
Yes, through a licensed OTC desk that converts your digital assets into dirhams before the developer is paid.
The Compliant Workflow
While direct wallet transfers to developers are rare due to compliance, we facilitate a regulated OTC (Over-The-Counter) process that converts your digital assets into AED manager’s cheques for the developer.
The 3-Step Execution
KYC & Verification
Submit your passport and source of funds to our licensed OTC partner in Dubai. Approval typically takes less than 2 hours.
Conversion
The OTC desk, licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), converts your digital assets into AED at a rate quoted before you commit.
Payment to Escrow
The dirhams go to the developer’s escrow account as a manager’s cheque or bank transfer and your booking proceeds as normal.
Why Use Digital Assets?
Speed of Execution
Close deals in 24 hours without waiting for international SWIFT delays.
Asset Diversification
Secure profits from volatile digital markets into stable, high-yield real estate.
Zero Banking Friction
Bypass daily transfer limits and intermediary bank fees.
Important Note: Transactions are facilitated by third-party custodians licensed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Indian residents are advised to ensure compliance with FEMA regulations regarding the cross-border transfer of virtual digital assets.
Is Your Capital Structure Efficient?
Don’t just buy property. Build a tax-efficient cross-border holding structure. Let our partners audit your remittance strategy before you transfer a single Rupee.